Daily Press from Newport News, Virginia • Page 69

jf. Fire Investigators Learn Tools Of Their Trade By LEON J. RUBIS Staff Reporter WILLIAMSBURG Six persons died in a house and garage fire near Grove Wednesday. Fire department investigators said arson was suspected. But the "arsonist" was the fire department.

And the "fire" was a training exercise for 200 firemen attending Virginia's annual arson investigation school through Friday in Williamsburg. Two old houses on Route 60 just south of the Grove fire station were carefully set up Wednesday to simulate a purposely-set house fire, complete with witnesses, suspects, evidence and a total of nine "bodies" mannequins. "We try to make things as real as possible," said state arson investigator Percy Click. Furniture and rooms in both houses were charred with fires started from gasoline-kerosene mixtures. In the two-story house donated by Virginia Electric Power one mannequin lay "dead" in a front room and two more were upstairs.

All were either shot with a gun or stabbed with a knife to simulate murders taking place before the arson. In the detached garage, three more "victims" were trapped in the wreckage of a burned car. Inside the houses, clues to the cause of the fires had been carefully planted, said Williamsburg assistant fire marshal Bob Bailey. Other clues, both in the houses and yards, pointed to the real arsonist among several suspects Sly Jack, Hot Lips, Lover Boy and other acquain tances of the victims. Written scripts tell each "suspect" what to say about their whereabouts.

Played by the school's instructors, the suspects will be interrogated Friday by the firemen who examined the houses "They can ad lib all they want to during the interrogations, but they must stick to the basic facts of their story," said Bailey. "And the interrogators must be sure to inform them of their rights just as police must." These field demonstrations illustrate principles the firemen have learned in class this week. Lectures by experts in their field have included evidence collection and testing, profiles of compulsive firebugs and insurance and legal aspects of arson. Classes in automobile arson investigation are also followed up with field exercises. Junk cars will be exploded with bombs and examined at the James City County landfill.

Held annually for Virginia firemen, the arson investigation school also draws students from other states. Spon- 'Dailn jJrcss SUBURBAN lam 3f THURSDAY MORNING, July 28, 19T7 Page 69 sored by the Williamsburg Fire Department, Virginia Fire Marshal's Office and William and Mary, the school awards continuing educational credits for firemen completing it. York Supervisors To Hear Report On Drought In County IIIIIWWlll) I vx. 'M 1 -s fl Vyr i vcv 4 iM4' r. i Jik I Holland said private gardens throughout the county have suffered i from the drought, especially in the upper end where less rain has fallen.

During a recent meeting with thej U.S. Department of Agriculture emergency services board, damages in York and the City of Poquoson were estimated at close to $100,000. Holland pointed out that FHA loans to farmers have to be paid back, butt they will be available at lower interest rates than loans from a bank. In other business, the board Will again tackle the proposed location of the Bruton fire substation. The board" recently designated Magruder Annex as the site, but reopened the discussioif because of a request by member George D.

Cole Jr. for reconsideration. T. York Fire Marshal Wallace Robertson is scheduled to present a report. The board will also discuss bids submitted for construction of a pew school in the Tabb area.

-J Supervisors will recommend tovthe State Bureau of Solid Waste and Vector Control that regional boundaries for solid waste management planning coincide with the geographical boundaries of the Peninsula Planning District Commission. The bureau will be requested; to develop, along with the PPDC, a plan for this management. Hong Kong Less Sew-Sew HONG KONG The number, of tailors in Hong Kong, which is famous for its custom-made clothing, -has dwindled from 10,000 in 1970 to 8,000 today. Poland Adds Apartments WARSAW About 1.1 million apartments have been built in Poland since 1971, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Shipping says. By ROBERT GRAVES Staff Reporter YORKTOWN Concerned over drought in the county, VPI Extension Agent William O.

Holland today will request the York County Board of Supervisors to take action seeking federal loans for farmers. The supervisors meeting starts at 1:30 p.m. Holland said he does not believe the county has reached a point where it is eligible for drought disaster aid and he does not plan to ask that it be included on the list of counties seeking such federal aid. "York has not had the same far-reaching economical effects as other counties accepted for disaster aid, so the chances are remote we could attain 'disaster' status," he said. "However, there are some York farmers who need loans because of economical loss due to drought.

These loans can be obtained from the Farmers Home Administration if the board will approve a resolution asking for such aid." Holland said those in York primarily affected by the drought are in the Bruton District, where the main crops are corn and soybeans. "There are some horses and livestock, and hay has been affected," he said. He said he does not believe there has been serious damage to commercial vegetable crops perhaps about 15 per cent. "By the time the drought hit, most of the commercial crops had matured," he said. "Tomatoes, cucumbers and squash were affected more than others at the height of the drought.

These have recovered with the recent rainfall in the Eastern end of the county." (Stall Photo By Joe Fudge) Story Time Mrs. Howard Forrest reads to lie Library. A party at the library six-week summer story time pro- erative venture of the library youngsters at the Poquoson Pub- Wednesday marked the end of a gram. The program was a coop- board, parents and teen-agers. James City Man Convicted On Two Charges Hollimon Accepts Promotion returned to the car, one of the other occupants said Jones was on the porch with a shotgun.

The witness said she heard the gun fire and felt glass shattering. Jones contended that she had hit him with an object while they were inside the house, and that she had asked him for money. He said he had been drinking earlier, and that after the argument he loaded the gun and went outside to the porch. He said he didn't mean to hit the car. But Commonwealth's Attorney William L.

Person Jr. argued that Jones had to go through "mental gyrations" to get the gun, load it, walk out to the porch and shoot. Carneal denied bond until sentencing, saying "four inches higher and we could have had a murder trial here today." In another trial, George Coppedge, 18, of Water-view Drive, Newport News, and Michael Jones, also 18, of the 14000 block of Old Courthouse Road, Newport News, pleaded guilty to a charge reduced from breaking and entering to trespassing at the residence of Dr. Richard Cilley, health services director at the College of William and Mary. Carneal sentenced them, to 12 months in jail, but suspended 11 months and 10 days, and put them on two years probation.

Campus security officer Stan Clark testified he was patroling the area May 27 when he saw the pair enter Cilley's property in the 200 block of Richmond Road. He said Jones acted as a lookout as Coppedge first entered the garage briefly, then opened the back door to the house. The officer said they left the property without entering the building after they saw a pedestrian pass by. "It was pretty dumb. I'm scared of going to jail and it's costing me a lot of money," Coppedge told the court.

He said their original idea was to take things to furnish an apartment they were going to move into, but they changed their minds. WILLIAMSBURG A James City County man was convicted in a non-jury trial Wednesday in Williamsburg-James City County Circuit Court of forging and uttering a $25 check at a branch of the United Virginia Bank of Williamsburg. William Harris, 28, was given 18 months in jail, suspended, and three years probation on the uttering charge, and 18 months with all but six months suspended, and three years probation for the forgery. Judge Russell M. Carneal also ordered him to make restitution to the bank for the March 15 offense.

In another felony case, Gerald Jones, 56, of the 100 block of Church James City County, was found guilty of shooting at a vehicle occupied by four women April 2. Jones was sent to jail pending a pre-sentence report Aug. 24. Ernestine Mitchell told the court she had gone to Jones' house with her mother and two other women, and that she had talked alone with Jones whom she had been dating. They had a "spat," and when she PRICE HIKE EXPECTED trative shuffle of several positions Also moved are: former assistant high school principal Melvin Robertson to East Middle principal, former Emergency School Aid Act director Bob Draben to West Elementary assistant principal and former West Elementary principal Joseph Haden to curriculum director.

Rogers Henry and Ralph Crocfiett from the Richmond school system have been hired as assistant high scttbol; principal and West Elementary principal, respectively. 5 CHARLES CITY Former East Middle school principal Henry Hollimon has accepted a promotion to federal programs director for the county schools, Schools Superintendent Michael DeNoia said Wednesday. The school board approved the switch in executive session late Tuesday night, after reversing DeNoia 's promotion of high school principal Leon Miles to the position. Miles had objected publicly to the promotion last week, saying he preferred to remain high school principal. The switch is part of an adminis Busch Gardens To Add Ride Westctire, Inc.

the newest area attraction tit plus 2nd feature: 4 i A Grimly 7 10 Animals 9 00 HELICOPTER RIDES (Sightseeing Tours See The Historic Areas From the Air, Bring Your Camera Available for Charter, Aerial Photo 1 and Other Services RICttORD PftYOR moves faster DeBord Cleared WILLIAMSBURG -An investigation of an Eastern State Hospital department head has ended without sufficient evidence of wrongdoing being found. Williamsburg-James City County Commonwealth's Attorney William L. Person Jr. said Tuesday an investigation involving Harold DeBord, director of buildings and grounds, failed to turn up sufficient evidence for criminal charges. Following an internal investigation at the hospital, Person had the county sheriff's department look into allegations that DeBord took three gallons of paint from the hospital.

Last Days' Feaiures 7 30.915 far, the biggest ride in The Old Country which last year added a whole section of rides, the Octoberfest area. The Loch Ness Monster is among several physical improvements to the park authorized Wednesday by the board of directors of Anheuser-Busch Inc. which operates The Old Country next to its brewery in James City County. A $200 million addition to the brewery was announced last month. Because of what they cite as "competitive reasons," spokesmen at Busch Gardens would give few details about the Loch Ness Monster which, they said, "will be unlike anything else anyone else has." Theme parks elsewhere including Busch Gardens in Tampa, have been adding rides which loop the passengers upside down.

The Loch Ness Monster probably will contain this looping feature, plus others. The ride will be above and perhaps on a lake near Heatherdown. The cost of the Loch Ness Monster and other improvements to The Old Country will be more than $5 million. Other changes to the park, although not publicly specified, could include additional, but tamer, rides and will include expansion of "backstage areas," Hrs. of Operation: 12 PM til Dark Closed Thurs.

(inquire about other hours) Located at Jamestown, Route 31 I Across from Jamestown Beach Campsites I Owned Operated by BankAmericard i Retha Bill West Master Charge Welcome ie 6. mm a -m FBsr ci iOEsnMJ1 I Senior Citizens Special Rates i WILLIAMSBURG A new multimillion dollar thrill ride will be added at Busch Gardens-The Old Country next year and then, probably, the admission price will go up. The new thrill ride, to be called the Loch Ness Monster, will be located in the Heatherdowns, the Scottish section of the theme park, and will be, by Pre-Sentence Report Ordered For Ayers KING AND QUEEN A pre-sentence report has been ordered in the case of Arthur Wayne Ayers, convicted earlier this month of selling and distributing marijuana. Judge James B. Wilkinson of the King and Queen Circuit Court granted a request by Ayers' attorneys Tuesday for the report and ordered it returnable Sept.

8. He won't pronounce sentence until the report is returned. A jury set a five-year sentence on each of the charges and ordered fines totaling $501. Ayers, an ex-state trooper and former King and Queen County deputy sheriff, is charged with having sold about 55 pounds of marijuana confiscated as evidence after a large amount was found at the West Point Airport in February, 1976. Firth Convicted YORKTOWN Bruce Ray Firth, Ridge Road, Poquoson, was convicted during a session Wednesday in York County General District Court of improper driving.

Firth was fined $350. Timothy D. Evans, Cedar Road, Poquoson, was found 'guilty of driving while under the influence of intoxicants. Evans was given a fine of $250 and his operators license suspended for nine months. Pamela Bunting Moore, 22, Beach Road, Poquoson, was convicted of reckless driving.

She was given a fine of $250 and her operators license suspended for six months. Charles Watson, 19, Yorkshire Drive, Tabb, was found guilty of reckless driving and was given a fine of $250 with his operators license suspended for six months. Rosa Lee Lewis, 39, Magruder Avenue, Williamsburg, was convicted on two charges of selling illegal alcoholic beverages. Mrs. Lewis was given a fine of $150 and a 30-day jail sentence, with 25 days suspended.

1 WEBB Frazier-Graves WED. thru TUES JULY SALE WOOD ALLEN DIANE KEATON lONY ROBERTS NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given that the York County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on Thursday, August 11, 1977 at 8:00 p.m. in the Courthouse, Yorktown, Virginia for the purpose of obtaining the public's views on the following applications: REZCNING APPUCATIONS: Application No. 77-12 Pauline Cottingham; Proposed rezoning from R2 to Bl, Bypass Road for property as follows: Approximately 1 .8 acres located on the north side ot U.S. Route 60 Bypass between 1776 Motel and Palace Lane.

Application No. 77-13 Running Man Ltd. Partnership; Proposed rezoning RR to Rl for property described as follows: Tract of land consisting of 343.96 acres located between Route 171, Route 600 and Route 134, and generally referred to as the Running Man Subdivision USE PERMIT REQUEST: Application No. 77-UH14 Williamsburg Players; Proposed Community Facility, Hubbard Lane Requested use permit as authorized under Section 10 of the Zoning Ordinance for a community facility for theatrical productions and civic and cultural activities SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE AMENDMENT: Subdivision Ordinance Section 9 An amendment to create the Board ot Subdivision Appeals under the provisions of special legislation by the 1977 General Assembly For additional information see legal od this paper or contact the Department of Planning and Community Development, Ballard Street Administration Building, Yorktown, Virginia, or call 887-581 1. R.

E. Bain County Administrator ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS IMPROVEMENTS TO POCAHONTAS STREET 1 Seated proposals will be received by the City of Williamsburg, Virginia in the office of the City Manager until 2:00 p.m., local prevailing time, August 23, 1977 for the proposed improvements to Pocahontas Street. Approximately 1430 tons of bituminous concrete, 455 square yards of concrete sidewalk, 2500 linear feet of curb; and gutter, and appurtenant drainage structures are involved in this project. A pre-bid conference will be held on August 16, 1977 at 2:00 p.m. at the Municipal Building, 412 North Boundary Street, Williamsburg, Virginia, All bidders are urged to attend.

Contract documents, consisting of plans, specifications, and contract forms will be open to public inspection at the Engt- neering Department, 412 North Boundary Street, Williams burg, Virginia. Plans, specifications, and contract documents may be obtained for bidding at this office upon deposit of $10.00 for each set or part thereof. Bids must be accompanied by a certified check or an acceptable bidder's bond in the amount of 5 in the base bid, payable to the Director of Finance of the City of Virginia. All bidders bidding in amounts exceeding $30,000 must be registered as contractors in the Commonwealth of Virginia. No bids may be withdrawn for a period of sixty days after the scheduled closing time for the receipt of bids.

Section 15 of the general conditions with regard to liquida' ted damages shall apply to this project. The work to be performed under this contract is on a project assisted under a program providing direct Federal financial. assistance from the Department of Housing and Urban Devel- opment and is subject to Federal regulations as set forth in the special provisions and in the contract. The owner reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive informalities in bidding. Frank Force, City Manager City of Williamsburg 'ANN 30 OFF HAL United Artists PG I I I I 1 tUMAJC AT A II u.

jnvn) hi a 7 r.m.m ON MEN'S FAMOUS BRAND CLOTHING Hours: 9 Frazier-Graves COMING SOON! 2 GREAT HITS! "THE DEEP" "STAR WARS" MERCHANTS SQUARE WILLIAMSBURG.